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Janusz Korczak, whose original name was Henryk Goldszmit, is seen as the father of the very idea that children also have rights - human rights. His thinking had a profound impact on the drafting of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and continue to influence the child-friendly programmes of the Council of Europe.Korczak´s message was about respect for children, respect for their inherent value as human beings but also for their capacity and competence. Though continuously practicing as a medical doctor and assisting in orphanages, he was also a writer. His essay "The Child's Right to Respect" in which he analyses the role of adults and the place of children in society is published in this volume.Korczak's vision about children's rights is still relevant. What can we learn from his ideas when tackling today's problems? Five children's rights activists analysed current problems in the spirit of Korczak."This book conveys the deeper meaning and importance of the rights of children. Janusz Korczak's conviction that children are 'people of today' and that they are 'entitled to be taken seriously' has even more relevance today. I recommend the study of both the text of Korczak himself and the five innovative lectures about today's challenges". (Yanghee Lee, Chairperson of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child)"Janusz Korczak is an inspiration for all those dedicated to children's rights. He devoted his life to the promotion of the rights of the child to participation and to protection from violence. His vision remains a foundation for our work, today and in the future". (Marta Santos Pais, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Violence Against Children)

Janusz Korczak, whose original name was Henryk Goldszmit, is seen as the father of the very idea that children also have rights - human rights. His thinking had a profound impact on the drafting of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and continue to influence the child-friendly programmes of the Council of Europe.Korczak´s message was about respect for children, respect for their inherent value as human beings but also for their capacity and competence. Though continuously practicing as a medical doctor and assisting in orphanages, he was also a writer. His essay "The Child's Right to Respect" in which he analyses the role of adults and the place of children in society is published in this volume.Korczak's vision about children's rights is still relevant. What can we learn from his ideas when tackling today's problems? Five children's rights activists analysed current problems in the spirit of Korczak."This book conveys the deeper meaning and importance of the rights of children. Janusz Korczak's conviction that children are 'people of today' and that they are 'entitled to be taken seriously' has even more relevance today. I recommend the study of both the text of Korczak himself and the five innovative lectures about today's challenges". (Yanghee Lee, Chairperson of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child)"Janusz Korczak is an inspiration for all those dedicated to children's rights. He devoted his life to the promotion of the rights of the child to participation and to protection from violence. His vision remains a foundation for our work, today and in the future". (Marta Santos Pais, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Violence Against Children)

ForewordKorczak -- our teacher on the rights of the child

Janusz Kotczak's legacyJanusz Korczak - a brief biographyJanusz Korczak's legacy: an inestimable source of inspirationThe Child's Right to RespectI saw Korczak and the children walking from the Ghetto to their death

The Janusz Korczak lecturesHow to protect the child's best interests?Respect means stopping hitting children today -- not tomorrow or the day afterChildren and prisons: what can we do better?Children in out-of home care: more prevention, fewer institutionsChildren have the right to be heard and adults should listen to their views